Buyers Guide to Layering
When you’re out and about enjoying the hills, you are the one in control of how hot or cold you feel. It is up to you to wear the right amount, and type of clothing for the weather and activity you are enjoying. It is up to you to ensure you have eaten and drunk enough (this plays a very important part in temperature regulation). It is up to you to add or remove clothing to regulate your temperature. It is up to you to move faster, or in some cases slower, to control your level of exertion.
Grabbing a jacket and heading out for a couple of hours is great if you know you are going to be returning from the great outdoors to hot shower and dry clothes but if you are backpacking, climbing our venturing further afield then getting your layering wrong can be a real issue.
The basic rule is to carry all your layers if you are heading out to enjoy the hills because if the weather turns; you cannot put on layers you did not bring along.
Jargon busting
Let’s start at the very beginning because over the years, manufacturers have forgotten that we don’t all speak their language. Frankly, there are also some less technical marketing departments out there that simply talk a load of rubbish.
1) Layer – A layer is, of course, an item of clothing. Many layers are better than one single layer because warm air is trapped between them. Air is an amazing insulator because it is as light as….well, air! To keep things simple we can identify three key layers: the base layer – the one next to your skin; the mid layer – sometimes made up of more than one but generally warm fabrics; the outer layer – your waterproof protection.
2) Layering – The art, science and skill of buying, selecting and adapting your clothing to the given weather and activity. Including your hands, feet and head.
3) Size and Fit – These can be two very different things so it is important to check if the manufacturer states a “fit” on a garment as that will tell you if it designed to have bulky layers worn underneath. It is also worth noting that when it comes to sizing; a “High Street” size can feel very different to a “Technical Clothing” size even though they claim to be the same. Remember: fit is critical to function.
4) Wicking – Without getting into the scientific intricacies of “Capillary Flow”, choosing clothing made from wicking fabrics that will literally move the moisture or sweat away from your body is the route to comfort and happiness. It also means that your expensive, breathable waterproof is able to do its job as efficiently as possible.
5) Moisture Vapour – In a word: sweat.
6) Venting – In four words: Letting the sweat/moisture vapour out.
Why is wicking so important?
As we have described in the jargon buster above wicking is the route to comfort. Wicking is a natural process but the weave of some fabrics makes them a lot more efficient than others.
The simplest way to see how wicking works is by putting a drop of water on a hard surface and then waving a piece of tissue paper over the drop. Nothing happens. Now, if you dip the corner of the tissue in the drop you will see the tissue sucks it all up so that very little is left on the surface. Magic!
So, for wicking to work efficiently, fabrics need to be able to “pick up” the moisture/sweat from your body by touching it (close fitting base layers are key to this) so they can pass it onto the next layer and so on.
Cotton is really good at absorbing moisture but then holds onto it making it a barrier to your layers working effectively, in fact a cotton t-shirt or shirt anywhere in your layering system will hinder the efficiency of your breathable waterproof. The ultimate in natural wicking fabrics is silk which readily absorbs sweat and transports it away from the body, however, these days it is definitely not a budget option. Look instead for layers made from merino wool, polyester or nylon but pay attention to HOW they wick. If it is by design e.g: the fabric is woven to wick naturally that’s great. If it is a chemical treatment, often found in budget base layers, then ask yourself if you want that directly next to your skin.
So, if I buy technical wicking clothing will I sweat less?
No.
Whatever some marketing departments may tell you: clothing will not make you sweat any less. Genetics, personal metabolism and fitness are the key factors there. Sweat is your body’s natural response to cooling and emotion. If you are too hot, you sweat. If you are nervous, you sweat. In fact, one study has even found that when we are happy we produce a certain odour that indicates happiness. This scent is then detectable by others, stimulating a feeling of happiness in them as well – so sweat really is a good thing!
By understanding and using wicking clothing correctly we can manage our sweat to comfortable levels by adding and removing layers.
However, if you can feel sweat on your brow then even your skin can’t get rid of it fast enough so your clothing has got no chance. Sometimes, all that may be required is to manage our own exertion – just slowing your pace a little can work wonders.
What should I look for in a base layer?
A base layer is worn next to the skin and should wick moisture away and outwards to the next layer.
To allow for people using them in all types of weather we often talk about base layers as being Light, Mid or Expedition weight. This simply describes the thickness of the fabric. For example, if you were heading out for a walk in the summer you may want a super-lightweight fast drying fabric t-shirt. If you were heading out in the Spring/ Autumn or higher up a slightly thicker long sleeve Mid-weight garment will keep you a little warmer. For those going to extreme cold then a toasty thick Expedition weight garment will be just the ticket. Or sometimes, all three!
Whatever fabric and style you choose it will need to be a snug fit because the more the base layer touches the skin the more efficient it can wick away your sweat. (See above) Long sleeve, short sleeve, the choice is yours, but a neck zip can make a big difference to letting heat in and out. Some base layers offer sun protection too – look for the SPF rating.
Don’t forget your undies! Cotton boxers or pants are not a backpacker’s friend. Look for fabrics designed to dry quickly. Ladies – when it comes to bras; choose one that is wire free with the widest shoulder straps possible as there really is no fun in having to peel a regular one out of your shoulder after a day carrying a rucksack.
So I just need one mid layer, right?
Nope.
Mid layers come in all manner of fabric weights and types but one key thing to remember is that stretch is good.
Having multiple layers gives us the greatest possible flexibility to deal with rapidly changing weather conditions. The really good news is that if you choose your layers well they will work for lots of different activities too.
Polyester fleece can make for a great mid layer as it is light and insulates very well but it’s not very good at keeping the wind out causing you to feel chilled. Used in conjunction with a windproof it offers a great warmth to weight ratio and dries very quickly.
The term “softshell” can generally describe an insulated windproof garment that offers some water-resistance and is made from a softer, stretchier fabric than a waterproof garment. They work extremely well as an outer layer for when it is not raining but can vary widely in their in their ability to wick.
If you are heading up into colder temperatures or out in winter, then an additional insulating layer is a very good idea. This can be either down or synthetic (down will pack down smaller, synthetic will still insulate when wet) and should be large enough to fit over your other layers so that you can trap all of that lovely air your body has worked so hard to warm up.
Too hot? You may want to adjust your pace or open the zips and adjustments on your clothing to allow the heat to vent away from your body. On a windy day this can work in seconds. On a warm wet day you may choose to leave some zips undone all day to help regulate your temperature.
Depending on the weather conditions one mid layer may be enough but remember, the weather in the valley can be sunny and warm when the weather higher up can literally be a blasting gale and snowing. Never underestimate the fickle British weather! As we mentioned at the start; when the weather turns you cannot put on layers you did not bring along.
Why is a windproof a good thing to buy?
A windproof is a garment made from a densely fabric woven that will not allow wind to penetrate it.
Some can be extremely lightweight and thin, packing down to next to nothing but because wind cannot penetrate them, they protect you from the chilling effect of the wind cooling the moisture in your clothes.
A windproof without any form of water-resistant coating will still work well as a wicking layer anywhere in your clothing system so the right one can offer a surprisingly versatile addition to your outdoor wardrobe.
Surely, I don’t need to carry a hat and gloves in the summer?
Possibly not, but they can provide a very light, effective addition to your layering.
For example, if you are climbing steeply uphill on a blustery day you may not want to wear lots of layers on your body nor a hood. Popping a hat on your head will keep your ears warm and offer some additional warmth while other parts of your body cool.
You can do the same with gloves too – especially if you are walking with poles or suffer from bad circulation.
Finally, if you have gloves and a hat in your pack then can provide quick additional warmth if you need to deal with the unexpected.
But I’ve spent all this money on performance clothing and I still feel cold. Why?
Without sunshine the only source of warmth while out in the hills is food. Make sure you eat. Often.
The job of clothing is to minimise heat loss by trapping air however water is the enemy of insulation so if your clothes are wet with sweat then you are going to feel cold. You can also control heat loss by cinching down your wrist and waist adjustments to keep all of the toasty warmth trapped inside your jacket.
We are all unique and have our own unique metabolisms. Learning how your body and your layers work together is something only experience will bring.
What about the environment?
Rather a large topic this. Technical clothing manufacture is not, by its nature, particularly brilliant for the environment.
We are continually working with suppliers and initiatives such as The Microfibre Consortium, The Fairwear Foundation, Bluesign, Okeo-Tex, Down Codex, Responsible Down Standard and the European Outdoor Conservation Association to improve the environmental impact of the garments we sell. However, it is vital that we all act responsibly to maintain, repair and use our garments for as long as we possibly can.
Need a new zip pull, hole repair tape, cord lock, bungee draw cord, buckle for your garment? We have lots in stock……
Top tips to make the right choice….
The good news is that there is no shortage of choice, fit or colours when it comes to base and mid layers.
Once again; fit, is absolutely the most important factor when choosing your clothing. It is critical to function and will make a difference to how a garment performs.
If you are starting out, then make a base layer your first purchase as this is the foundation and possible THE most important part of your clothing system. After all, if it does not absorb your sweat efficiently then it won’t be able to transport it out and away from your body.
Product reviews are great for getting an idea of what you might want but as we have mentioned above everyone is unique and what works well for one person may not be ideal for your personal body shape or metabolism.
Finally, if you don’t own any “performance clothing” don’t despair! People have been climbing mountains for hundreds of years in silk and wool garments – the difference is that they lived in a time when they understood the consequences of getting wet and cold so avoided it. Simply enjoy your adventures in the good weather by adapting your day around a favourable forecast.
Modern outdoor fabrics allow us to remain comfortable in bad weather so long as we understand and use them correctly. Their ability to wick moisture away from our bodies and out through our waterproofs allows us to venture out for great outdoor adventures whatever the weather, spreading our sweaty happiness for all to enjoy!
Want to learn more about textiles? Take a look at the Outdoor Gear Coach website and their book: Keeping Warm and Staying Dry
For a lighthearted look at the science behind layering why not take a listen to our Podcast:
